Chapter Two

It was loud in the morning, I was awoken by horses and footsteps and the uncomfortable realization that I had slept on rocks. I stood up once I was completely awake and shook off my jacket. I put on the jacket and decided to get a start at finding some food. The first stop I made was a pub-type place that I had seen on my way from the dock. I walked in casually. There were about three people in various chairs, and a scrubby man working behind the counter. I leaned up against the bar, trying my best to look older then I am. I slyly moved my arm around the end of the bar and snatched a loaf of bread. I turned around, slipping the bread inside of my jacket. As I made my way to the door, I was stopped by a big arm around my collar. I was pulled in. A wave of shock ran through me and I half considered punching this guy and running out, but I didn't have time.

"What did you think you were doing boy?" The owner yelled at me. It was the same guy who was working behind the bar. I gasped as he nearly choked me and dropped the bread. The man smiled cruelly and grabbed the bread off the floor.

"Is this what you want boy?" He smiled at me.

"Yes…yes sir." I said quietly. He slapped me across the face, and sent me out with my face burning and stomach empty. But as I made my way out, I noticed a small hole in the wall next to the door. A curtain had been placed over it to make it look better, and a stash of bread was lying next to it. I smiled to myself and left the bar.

Billy the Kid. What a guy. I had been reading about Billy the Kid ever since he started basically. I learned how to read out of his penny novels and newspaper articles. If I found even two pennies, I would spend it on more stuff about Billy. I was his biggest fan. Maybe it's because Billy was mostly an orphan, and I could relate to him. Yeah, Billy and I really related. I decided at a very young age that all I wanted to do is get the chance to ride with Billy the Kid. It was a far sketched dream, but one I had dreamt many nights.

For the next few weeks I used the whole in the pub to snatch bread. Sometimes Beaver caught me, sometimes he didn't. Though over time we got to know each other. Beaver has three wives, all who are fat and rather ugly. He owns the pub/bar/restaurant/eating house type place. And he is VERY protective of his bread.

I continued to sleep in that alley, making it my home. I stashed my belongings there (which wasn't much) and slept on my coat there every night.

I turned fourteen the eighth, and even Beaver (who was sick and tired of me anyways) let me have half a loaf and a glass of water just for the occasion. He became my abusive adoptive father. Then one day it happened. I was sitting on my high atop hideout that looked over the entrance and exit of the little town. And I heard below me cries of the townsfolk. I looked out and saw the outline of three horses coming into our town. And the one leading, was Billy the Kid.